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The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an annual series of poetry readings and special events. Since its founding, the Academy has awarded more money to poets than any other organization.

Summer

Warm weather, vacations, and days of sun and the beach: June, July, and August (and the first few weeks of September) have inspired their fair share of summer poems. Browse our selection of poems about the summer season.

She sang beyond the genius of the sea.
The water never formed to mind or voice,
Like a body wholly body, fluttering
Its empty sleeves; and yet its mimic motion
Made constant cry, caused constantly a cry,
That was not ours although we understood,
Inhuman, of the veritable ocean.
The sea was not a mask. No more

The squall sweeps gray-winged across the obliterated hills,And the startled lake seems to run before it;From the wood comes a clamor of leaves,Tugging at the twigs,Pouring from the branches,And suddenly the birds are still.

The gray path glided before meThrough cool, green shadows;Little leaves hung in the soft airLike drowsy moths;A group of dark trees, gravely conferring,Made me conscious of the gaucherie of sound;Farther on, a slim lilacDrew me down to her on the warm grass.“How sweet

No wind, no bird. The river flames like brass.On either side, smitten as with a spellOf silence, brood the fields. In the deep grass,Edging the dusty roads, lie as they fellHandfuls of shriveled leaves from tree and bush.But ’long the orchard fence and at the gate,Thrusting their